The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-11
CHAPTER XIX.
A PRISONER

committee only Texar had been captured.
Whether owing to WEAKNESS at the exactions
of the last few days, to Indifference the
slavery question, the people did not give at all
bad reception to the officers of the fiotilla, who
represented the government of Washington.
Meanwhile, Commodore Dupont at St Angus
tine busted himself in closing the Floridan coast
against contraband of war The passes of Mos
suite inlet were all seized. That at once cut of
the trade in arms and munitions with the
Bahamas. IL was evident that henceforth
Florida would be subject to the federal govern
ment
The same day the surrender of Jackson
vile, James and Gilbert Burbank and Mr.. Stan
nard and his daughter crossed the St Johns to
Candles Bay.
Perry and the assistant-overseers were wait
Ing for them At the little landing place with a
few of the blacks who had returned to the plan
tation. It can be imagined how they were re-
ceived. and with what demonstrations they were
welcomed.
Soon James Burbank and his companions were
NJ his wife's bedside.
1t was when che thus again beheld her son
thar for the first time she learnt what had passed
The young officer clasped her in his arms. Her
people would never leave her again. Alice
could give her all her attention. She would
soon recover her strength. There nothing
to fear from Texar's Screenings. The Span
iard was in the hands of the Federas, and the
Federals were masters of Jacksonville.
But if she had to tremble no more for herhus
band and son. her whole thought was on her
daughter. She wanted Dy; and Mars must find
Zermah.
1--WE shall find theml" exclaimed James Bur
I.o1w- A.
search"
Eyes, father. and without losing day."
LAS we have got hold of Texar,r said Mr..
Burbank, ''Texar must speak"
''And if he refuses to speak," asked Mr.. Stan
nard. ''If he pretends he knows nothing about
the disappearance OF by and Zermshl"
''And how can he2" said Gilbert "Did not
Zermah recognize him at Marine creek2 Did
not Alice and mother hear Zermah shout his
name as the boat moved off Can you doubt
that he was the author of the outrage, and was
in command there7"
''It was Texar!" said Mrs. Burbank, rising as
II she would have thrown herself out of bed.
eyes, said Alice, II recognized him! He was
standing up in the stern Of the boat, which he
WAS steering into mid-stream."
''Be it So" said Mr.. Stannard. sit was Texar
There is no doubt! But il he refuses to say
where he has hidden them, where are we to
look7-for we have searched in vain along the
river for miles"
To this question, so clearly put, there was no
reply. All depended on what the Spaniard
said. Was it his interest to speak or be silent2
do you not know where the scoundrel usu-
ally lives7" asked Gilbert
mo one knows; no has ever known"
said James Burbank. I'm the south of the
country there are so many huge forests and in
accessible marshes where he could hide himself
To explore that country would be in vain. The
federals themselves could not there pursue the
retreating militia. 1t would be trouble thrown
away"
II must have my daughterl exclaimed Mr.
Burbank.
my wife will find my wife!' said Mars;
'and will force the rascal to tell me where she
u.s."
YES" said James Burbank, when the man
sees he may save his life by speaking, he will
speak. If he were in fight he might despair
With him in federal hands, we can get his Sc
cret out of him. Have confidence, my poor wife!
We are on the track, and we will give you back
your child"
Mrs. Burbank tainted and fell back on her bed.
Alice remained with her, while Mr.. Stannard,
James Burbank. Gilbert and Mars went down
into the hall to talk matters over with Edward
Carroll
1t was agreed to wait till the federals had or
ganiZed their capture, and that Commodore Du-
pont should be informed Of the facts relative not
only to Jacksonville, but to Candles Bay, Per-
haps hs would decide to bring Texar at once be-
fore military tribunals
Gilbert and Mars would not let the day pass
~
Burbank and Stannard and Carol were think
ing over the first steps, they would be off up the
St Johns in the hope of discovering a clew.
Was it not to be feared that Texar would re-
fuse to sneak. and in his hatred prefer to under
go the last penalty, rather than surrender his
vctimsq Better to do without him. Let the IN
discover where it was he lived. But that was
vain search They knew nothing of Black
creek. They thought the lagoon was
inaccessible. And they passed along by the
thicket on the bank without discovering the
narrow entrance
During the 18th of March there was no change
in the situation. At Candles bay the reorgan-
ization of the estate proceeded slowly. From
all parts of the district, from the neighboring
forests, into which they had been forced to dis
perse. the blacks were returning in great num-
bers. Although set at liberty by the generous
act of James Burbank, they did not think that
all obligation to him was at an end They
would be his servants if they could not be- his
slaves. They longed to get back on the plan
tation. to rebuild the barracoons destroyed by
Texar's rouehs, to set up the factories and reft
the workshops and resume the work which for
so many years had been the welfare and happi-
ness of their families.
The routine of the plantation was first taken
In hand. Edward Carol, almost cured of his
wound, resumed his accustomed work. There
was plenty of zeal on the part of Perry and his
assistantoverseers. Even Pyg bestirred him
self, although he did not do much. The poor
creature had rather como down in his ideas.
He called himself free, but he acted like pla-
tonic freedman, much embarrassed to use the
liberty which he had the right to enjoy When
the men had returned to Candles bay, and re-
built the houses that had suffered the planta-